Rootsweb vs. Ancestry.com vs. FTM

Rootsweb vs. Ancestry.com vs. FTM

I'm confused abt where to maintain my tree. I use FTM 2009 and occasionally upload (refresh) my existing online tree at Rootsweb. But since A.com purchased Rootsweb they "assumed" my online tree and it now appears as a A.com member tree. That's okay but I want to avoid double entry. Anybody have a favorite approach? -Jack

Re: Rootsweb vs. Ancestry.com vs. FTM

I stand corrected in that by "refresh" I meant with one click the Rootsweb WorldConnect allows you to replace an existing tree with a new gedcom and there is no need to delete the old tree. It's not too obvious but I go to Rootsweb.com> click on WorldConnect Project. On the right side of the screen it says "Also go here to update or correct your existing family tree." I click here which brings up you existing tree. I ignore the "Add New Tree" button but click on my listed family tree. This opens up a window with some options one of which is "replace tree with a new gedcom"

Re: Rootsweb vs. Ancestry.com vs. FTM

Roots web is a public no fee site that has limited functions. Because it is public and free, a lot of folks post here who are just starting out and those who want to exchange information. You can only update either by individual or load a new Gedcom file when you have lots of changes.

Ancestry.com is a fee based program that provides a lots of bells and whistles, as well as a huge library of research records. You have a lot more options as to maintaing, updating, and sharing your data. Because it is fee based, access is limited and is not readily shared with non-subscribers. Sonic you have a lot of family members you want to share and update your research with, but are not Ancestry members, RootsWeb is the place they will need to go. You can export your Ancestry file to RootsWeb via a GedCom file transfer.

Finally, family Tree Maker. This is a stand alone program that resides on your personal computer. If you have an Ancestry subscription, then it links into Ancestery's data base and provides you with all it's resources to import into FTM.

Up until recently, your Ancestry and FTM data bases were not linked together and were therefore separate data bases. FTM just released FTM 2012 which does sync with Ancestry. Now whatever changes you make to one are made to then other.

In use FTM as my primary database. FTM has a lots of utilities to maintain and keep my records up to date, identify relationships, places, etc, that Ancestry don't have. Now with the sync features, I can keep Ancestry and all it's connection features current with FTM. You have the best of both world's. Between the two, you can effectively collaborate with others one your research and maintain clean and accurate records.

From the Ancestry and FTM data base, you can create a GedCom and update RootsWeb whenever you need to to keep the public side happy and up to date.

Hope this answers your query and gives some insight as to their purposes and functionality.

P.S. I can now access my synced Ancestry and FTM records via the iPad or iPhone app for when you are on the go or out doing research. Again, because of the sync capability, your Ancestry and FTM are kept up to date.

Re: Rootsweb vs. Ancestry.com vs. FTM

I use both and I have my tree on ancestry and I update my gedcom on rootsweb every couple of months to keep it current with new information also I have a free website with rootsweb that I upload my family stories and pictures and link to all the uploaded trees